Genetic Improvement of Essence Percent and Dry Flower Yield in German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Populations

German chamomile is one of the most important medicinal plants. Assessment of genetic diversity and relationship among the traits are very essential in chamomile breeding programs. Determination of the best indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of essence percentage and dry flower yield of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) populations was investigated using some morphological, agronomical and phenological characteristics. In this experiment, statistical design of RCBD with three replications was used. Number of flower plant(-1), fresh flower yield plant(-1), days to budding, days to 50 and 100% of flowering, number of flowering stem, plant height, number of tiller plant(-1), dry flower yield plant(-1) and essence percent were measured. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among chamomile populations for all the studied traits. This assigns genetic diversity for mentioned traits and possibility of genetic improvement of these via selection. Assessment of correlation coefficients revealed positive and significant relationship of the majority of traits with dry flower yield as well as some traits with essence percent. Path analysis indicated applicability of indirect selection through the traits days to 50% flowering, No. flower plant(-1), fresh flower yield plant(-1) and days to budding for genetic improvement of dry flower yield specifically in early breeding generations. The traits 50% flowering and No. flower plant(-1) also were introduced as the best indirect selection criteria for improvement of essence percent based on path analysis results.